Just Some Bargain Hunting...

Over the last few weeks I've found a few bargains, and nothing makes me happier than finding a good deal.  So I thought I would share my happiness with you...  :)

Little People set $1.41 at Goodwill

Sit and Spin, perfect condition $2.02 at Goodwill

The first two things I found on a Goodwill trip two weeks ago.  I always get excited when I see Little People things there because Jace loves his little people and the sets are usually pretty expensive.  Everytime I've seen them at GW they're less than $2.  The one I got him this time has a crane and makes lots of fun sounds, he loves it.  I also got him a sit and spin that he'd rather "stand and spin" on... but either way, he has fun.  I got it in perfect condition for $2.02.

The next couple of things are also things for Jace, but they're Easter gifts.  I know what you're thinking Easter "gifts"???  Well, I started out making him a little basket of candy and trinkets, but then found these deals and figured Easter was a perfect excuse to make presents out of them.  Since Easter falls right in the middle of his 1st and 2nd birthday, it's a good time to give him a couple of gifts anyways, right?  :)

Little People Musical Ferris Wheel, $3.79 at Kohl's. Orig $23.99

Interactive Elephant from TJ Maxx.  Orig $35, bought for $7

I went to Kohl's after they sent me a free $10 off coupon, which I always love getting in the mail because I usually can find something for exactly $10, lol.  I let Jace pick out the toy he liked the best, and surprise surprise it was a Little People set.  It was $23.99 but on sale for 40% off, then with my $10 off it came to $3.79.  I'm sure if I had a Kohl's card I could have gotten it cheaper, but that was cheap enough for me! 

The second thing is a FurReal Elephant that I saw at TJMaxx in the kid's clearance section.  It caught my eye right away because Jace and I both love Elephants and I'd wanted to get him something elephant related at the Jacksonville Zoo to commemerate our Elephant experience there, but everything was so expensive so I skipped it.  The elephant does lots of fun things when you rub its back or it's tummy.  As soon as I saw Jace's face when the Elephant lifted it's trunk and roared I knew I had to buy it for him.  Seriously, I should video tape his face when he plays with it.  His eyes get wide and he blinks alot, I can't really describe it... but it's adorable and anything that brings him that much joy for $7 was totally going in the Easter basket.  :)

I've also been trying to make our living room look a little more "me" and a little less masculine.  I'd been on the hunt for an oval mirror at a thrift store forever, but finally decided to give in and buy one new.  I found a $50 mirror half off at TJMaxx and figured $25 was as cheap as it was going to get.  (Don't mind the ribbon in the picture... it was a stand in ribbon to see if I like the look of the ribbon, I think I do so I'm going to go buy a thicker, darker and more expensive looking ribbon instead of the random craft project ribbon I was using as a tester.)

Still need a new chair and curtains... but it's coming along.

The picture doesn't really capture the mirror effect very well, but I much prefer it over the clock that used to hang there.  I also found a couple of inexpensive things to decorate the mantel with.  The first was a "Family" wooden decor stand at TJMaxx for $2.50 on clearance.  It matched the wall almost exactly so I lightly misted it with white paint to lighten it slightly.  I will be painting it an accent color once I pick out curtains, but for now I just wanted it a little lighter so it would stick out.  The other thing I did was spray some glass candle holders a gloss white paint because I liked the shape (and price) but not the clear glass that they were. 

$2.50 "Family" from TJMaxx clearance

Walmart candle holders ($2-$4) sprayed white.  $1 Walmart candles.

Oh, and then of course... you may have noticed in the above picture.  I found an accent table that I adored a while back but couldn't justify spending that kind of money on something we didn't really need.  We had been using this horrid "stand-in" glass table since we moved in and it drove me nutty.  The other day I spotted the table I'd seen weeks ago at TJMaxx and almost freaked out when I saw it was the last one in the store and had been clearanced out.  Yes, my lovely gray washed rustic cedar accent table was marked down from $120 to $39!!!!!  I took it as a sign and bought it right away.  I wish it photographed true to color and texture, but it doesn't at all.  In person it's a gray-ish stained look over the amazingly delicious smelling cedar.  It's not a smooth finish either.  Anyways, I love it.  And I'll definitely love it more when it's not next to that glider that clashes with it.  :)





Doesn't photograph well, but it makes me happy :) 
Orig $120, paid $39 at TJMaxx on clearance